BEREA -- Browns coach Pat Shurmur said the biggest reason their revitalized pass rush is so good is because they've upgraded the position in the offseason.

"It starts with the talent of the guys doing the rushing," he said. "We've upgraded that position."

He said they have eight defensive linemen that they constantly rotate to keep them fresh. Ends Frosty Rucker and Juqua Parker were added as free agents, while they drafted tackles John Hughes and Billy Winn. Winn left Sunday's game with a concussion, while Parker injured his foot.

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Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson sacked Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton three times on Sunday. He's a half sack away from his career high set in 2011.

As a team, the Browns sacked Dalton six times on Sunday.

"The more we're playing together, the better we are as a unit," Rucker said. "As the weeks go on, we'll get stronger."

End Jabaal Sheard has yet to get to the quarterback, but that doesn't mean he's not playing well. Shurmur said teams are paying more attention to him in their protection schemes.

Replacement refs

The NFL's replacement refs have been in the news the last couple days.

"For so long, we've been used to a certain way they called games," Jackson said. "Now, there's an adjustment period. They have a tough job. The biggest problem for coaches and players is adjusting to how they call plays and how they interpret the rules."

Jackson hit Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham in Sunday's game and got an unnecessary roughness penalty.

"I've played the game the same way for five years," Jackson said. "If a guy is within 5 yards (of the line of scrimmage), I hit him. After the play, I talked to the ref and we decided to agree to disagree. I can't change the way I play."

The NFL released a statement on Monday defending the replacement refs.

"Officiating is never perfect," the statement said. "The current officials have made great strides and are performing admirably under unprecedented scrutiny and great pressure. As we do every season, we will work to improve officiating and are confident that the game officials will show continued improvement."

Trent's big afternoon

Browns running back Trent Richardson had a huge game against the Bengals with a game-high 109 yards rushing on 19 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown. He added four receptions for 36 yards and another score.

"Trent played much better game than Week 1," Shurmur said. "I still think he can do some things better when he doesn't have the football, which means we should give it to him every time he's in there. His legs looked fresher."

The Browns are currently carrying four running backs on their roster: Richardson, Chris Ogbonnaya, Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson. Jackson was inactive for the Bengals game and Hardesty never got into the game.

Shurmur said he has no problem carrying four running backs - for now. However, if they need a roster spot in the future, don't be surprised if one of them could go.

Bad mistakes

Shurmur hates penalties that happen before the snap, like offsides and encroachment.

They committed 10 penalties for 103 yards vs. the Bengals.

"All of them eat at me a little bit," Shurmur said. "The avoidable ones are the pre-snap ones."

Probably not thrilled

Richardson did a flip when he reached the end zone on Sunday. Jackson did the same thing the week before against Philadelphia.

"The league has rules about what they can and cannot do," Shurmur said. "I've already established that I'm not a flamboyant guy. I don't want them to get penalized."

Quick kicks

o Linebacker Scott Fujita is scheduled to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday to discuss his involvement in the New Orleans Saints' "Bountygate." It's conceivable that Fujita could face further suspension. His original suspension was lifted prior to the season opener.

o On the 81-yard punt return for a touchdown by Bengals returnman Adam Jones, Shurmur said the Browns missed six tackles. "We had opportunities to get him on the ground and we didn't," Shurmur said.

o The Browns used up one of their second-half time outs when Shurmur threw a red flag to challenge a catch by Greshom. Shurmur said he thought it was an incomplete pass. "I did," he said. "That's why we challenged it. Based on the time of game and significance of play, we challenged it."

o Jackson isn't giving up on the season, despite the Browns' 0-2 start. "It's not over," he said. "There's a lot of football to be played. We are close. As a team, the next time we're in those situations, we have to close it out."

o Browns tight end Alex Smith suffered a concussion in Sunday's game. Returnman Josh Cribbs walked through the locker room on Monday with a huge ice pack on his knee. He was banged up on the onsides kick.